The archive and library

Research is an important part of the memorial's work and for this reason a specialist library and archive which can be used in conjunction with the museum's educational project work is essential. The archive is continually extended and contains documents from prisoner organisations and the memorial as well as collections that describe the history of Sachsenhausen concentration camp. After advance notice has been given, these collections can be used by visitors and for research purposes.

The library's reading room contains specialist magazines and literature about National Socialism, concentration camps and post Second World War history. Photos and audio-visual materials are also available if advance notice has been given to the archive's staff. The deposit library, archive and standard library are all housed in an historical building on the site of the industrial yard near to the western wall of the camp.
 

Archiv

The history and aims of the archive

An archive was first opened in Sachsenhausen national memorial in 1976, although it was not open to the public. After the founding of the Stiftung Brandenburgische Gedenkstätten in 1993 the archive and library was opened to researchers and the public in line with the aim of the Stiftung to make Sachsenhausen an open place of learning. In the beginning of 2000 Sachsenhausen's archive became a public archive according to county law (§2 Paragraph 8).

The archive contains the administrative documents of the memorial and museum and its supporting institutes as well as collections describing the history of the National Socialist concentration camp Oranienburg (1933 - 1934), Sachsenhausen (1936 - 1945) and the Soviet special camp Nr.1 / Nr.7 (1945 - 1950). The files of Sachsenhausen's command structure taken from national and international archives are of special importance, unfortunately many of the documents have only survived as fragments. These collections are complemented by those of the 'Lagerarbeitsgemeinschaft Sachsenhausen', the 'Komitees der Antifaschistischen Widerstandskämpfer der DDR' as well as individuals whose lives have been connected to Sachsenhausen in some form.

The collections are searchable with an electronic database (EFB), as hard copy (FB) and as part of a card system. A large number of the files containing personal information are included in the database (DB). The archive shelves contain 280 metres of material (AE) - not including the administrative files from Sachsenhausen memorial and museum (GMS) or the Stiftung Brandenburgische Gedenkstätten (SBG) which will also eventually form part of the archive.

Inventory summary

Using the archive

Anyone wanting to use the archive should apply in writing stating their theme, reason and where applicable the person or organisation for which they are working. After receiving written permission from the archive's director of research, an appointment can be made with the archive's staff (telephone: 03301 200 300). The archive is open Tuesday - Friday from 9:00 until 16:30.

Adress

Gedenkstätte und Museum Sachsenhausen
Archive
Straße der Nationen 22
16515 Oranienburg

Online Application forms

Fees

Fees are regulated by the Stiftung Brandenburgische Gedenkstätten and apply for large written applications as well as research and the retrieval of archived items, unless the user has been exempted from the payment of fees. Due to the small number of staff the number of written research requests processed without charge in one calendar year has been restricted to seven concerning specific persons and three relating to any other subject.

For the protection of privacy and contractual obligations there are a number of collections from which copies can not be made and others where copies can only be made under special circumstances. The maximum number of copies that can be ordered at any one visit is 200. Copies cost €0,35 with a 50% discount for students and those working on their doctorate.
 

  

Library

The library's history

In the East German national memorial there was a small library available for use by the memorial's staff. It was stocked with Marxist-Leninist classics and the various books which were published in East Germany about Sachsenhausen and other concentration camps. The founding of the Stiftung Brandenburgische Gedenkstätten in 1993 with its aim of turning Sachsenhausen into an open place for learning made the opening of the special library to the public a necessity. At the same time the library and archive which up until then had been housed in a wooden barracks and could have been easily damaged by fire, was transferred to a brick building on the site of the industrial yard.

The library's contents

Today the library holds around 11,000 items. Themes include National Socialism, concentration camps, Sachsenhausen concentration camp, post Second world War history, Soviet occupation, Soviet special camps, the history of remembrance, the memorial and memorial education. The collections include National Socialist material - around 1,800 books - as well as items which have been donated by ex-prisoners, the Martha and Harry Naujoks library being the largest at 2,000 works. The library also holds a large number of documents on microfiche which can be read in the library, such as the Nürenberg trials, treason cases conducted by the Volksgerichthof and documents from the NSDAP chancellery. These are complimented by the library's collection of around 40 specialist periodicals and magazines.

Using the library

The library is open from Tuesday to Friday from 9:00 to 16:30 and the material in the library is freely available for use by visitors but the library is currently being rearranged and catalogued electronically. A special permit may be required for the use of some special materials from the collections of NS titles. All of the library's titles are reference only.